Latch for electric switches



Nov. 26, 1929. D. E. ROHRER LATCH FOR ELECTRIC swITcHEs Original Filed Oct. 28, 1925 attozmq Patented Nov. 26, 1929 Prior.

LATCH FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES Application filed. October 28, 1925, Serial No. 65,429. Renewed May 27, 1929.

The object of my invention is to provide a new latch for the type of switches used on high voltage electric lines; to provide a latch that is positive in operation; and to provide a latch that is operated by gravity. It is also an object of my invention to provide a latch that can be readily unlatched, and which is simple to install and requires a minimum amount of labor to construct, and which has no delicate parts to wear out or break. I attain these and other objects of my invention by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a side elevation of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the gravity latch.

Like characters of reference indicate like parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings, are illustrated the con ventional insulators I to one of which is attached the bracket 1 having spaced ends 2, carrying the pivot rod 3, on which the gravity latch 4 is mounted. The gravity latch 4 comprises an apertured bearing 5 to receive pivot rod 3, mounted on bracket end 2, a weight arm 6, a latch end 7, a weight 8 integral with arm 6, and on the opposite side from the latch arm a releasing arm 9, terminating in the handle 10, extending at right angles to arm 9. Arm 9 has a vertical shoulder 11 adapted to engage a part of the bracket or other stationary element to prevent the latch arm 6 swinging past the closed position when the switch blade 14 is opened or unlatched. Latch 7 is provided with a curved bottom surface whereby the latch will be automatically swung to a rearward position if the switch blade 14 is swung up against its bottom end.

I provide a pivotally mounted switch blade comprising the arms 14 having the space 12 intervening between same, this switch being adapted to be swung into the space between the guide arms 13 which function as a socket for the switch blade, which is locked in place by the gravity latch 4, as shown in Fig. 2.

The switch may be unlatched by pulling down on handle 10 with a suitably insulated implement. It is latched by gravity. The curved bottom surface of the latch end 7 will cause the gravity latch to swing to the position shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 2 to 5 receive the switch blade 14 if the latter is swung upwards against the gravity latch.

The gravity member in which this switch operates in any position in which it may be used is an important factor wherein it is an improvement over many devices in the prior art. This switch is adaptable to many types of switch blades.

What I claim is:

A latch for electric switches comprising a switch element, spaced guide arms having outturned ends to receive and guide the switch element to its closed position, a bracket, a .gravity operated latch pivotally mounted on the bracket said latch having a weight element positioned in offset relation to and in a plane substantially below the pivot element and a latch blade having a cam face adapted to be engaged by the switch element when the latter is swung to closed position to push the latchbaok until the switch element islswung toward the latch sufliciently to permit the'latch to lock the switch elementin closed position, the latch having an arm extending in substantially opposed position to the switch element, said arm having a handle member extending at right angles to the arm and in offset relation to the latch blade to permit of convenient operation of the switch for opening the latch.

DOSSA E. ROHRER. 

